The Picture of Dorian Gray | Oscar Wilde | Cliff Note Books
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a novel by Oscar Wilde, published in 1890. It tells the story of a young man named Dorian Gray, who becomes infatuated with his own youthful beauty and makes a wish that a portrait of him would age while he remains eternally young.
The novel begins with Dorian Gray, a handsome and charming young man, who is introduced to the artist Basil Hallward. Basil becomes captivated by Dorian’s beauty and decides to paint his portrait. While working on the portrait, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, a cynical and hedonistic aristocrat who influences Dorian’s worldview and introduces him to a life of pleasure and indulgence.
As Dorian spends more time with Lord Henry, he becomes increasingly obsessed with his own appearance and desires to preserve his youthful beauty. He expresses a wish that the portrait ages instead of him, thereby separating his outward appearance from the consequences of his actions.
Over time, Dorian indulges in a life of debauchery and immorality while remaining outwardly youthful and untouched by his sins. The portrait, hidden away in his attic, bears the burden of his dark deeds, gradually showing signs of corruption and decay.
As Dorian’s actions become more wicked and immoral, his soul withers away while the portrait reflects the true effects of his debauchery. He becomes paranoid and fearful of anyone discovering his secret, leading to a series of tragic events and the ruin of several lives.
In the end, driven to madness and consumed by guilt, Dorian decides to destroy the portrait, which ultimately leads to his own demise. The portrait reverts to its original state, revealing the true face of evil and corruption.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” explores themes of beauty, art, morality, and the destructive power of vanity and hedonism. It serves as a critique of the superficiality of society and the consequences of pursuing an amoral and indulgent lifestyle. The novel’s gothic elements and Wilde’s witty and provocative writing style have made it a classic of English literature.
QUOTES FROM THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“I can resist anything except temptation.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. All art is quite useless.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold. The curves of your lips rewrite history.” – Dorian Gray
“The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.” – Lord Henry Wotton
“Some things are more precious because they don’t last long.” – Basil Hallward
“There is something terribly enthralling in the exercise of influence.” – Lord Henry Wotton
BIOGRAPHY OF OSCAR WILDE
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and poet, born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland. He was the second of three children born to Sir William Wilde, a renowned surgeon, and Jane Francesca Elgee, a prominent poet and nationalist. Wilde grew up in a household that valued intellectual pursuits and artistic expression.
Wilde attended Trinity College, Dublin, and later studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he became known for his wit, flamboyant personality, and aestheticism. During his time at Oxford, he won numerous awards for his poetry and became involved in the aesthetic and decadent movements of the time.
After completing his studies, Wilde moved to London and gained recognition for his plays, poetry, and witty social commentary. He became a prominent figure in London’s literary and social circles, known for his dandyish style, biting wit, and sharp sense of humor. Wilde’s plays, including “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “An Ideal Husband,” and “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” established him as one of the leading playwrights of the late 19th century.
In addition to his plays, Wilde also wrote a novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” which was published in 1890 and gained both acclaim and controversy for its exploration of morality and hedonism.
However, Wilde’s personal life took a tumultuous turn when he was involved in a public scandal. In 1895, he was accused of “gross indecency” for his homosexual relationships, which were considered illegal at the time. Wilde was subsequently convicted and sentenced to two years of hard labor.
Following his release from prison in 1897, Wilde lived in France under the name Sebastian Melmoth and published “The Ballad of Reading Gaol,” a poem inspired by his experiences in prison. He died of meningitis on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46, in Paris.
Oscar Wilde’s works continue to be celebrated for their wit, social commentary, and exploration of human nature. His writing often challenged societal norms and conventions, making him a significant figure in the literary and cultural movements of his time. Wilde’s legacy as a playwright, novelist, and wit remains influential and his works continue to be widely read and performed today.
THEMES IN THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
Beauty and Aestheticism: The novel explores the pursuit of beauty and the belief that art should be valued for its own sake. Wilde examines the seductive power of physical beauty and its influence on one’s life and morality.
Corruption and Decay: The theme of moral corruption and the consequences of immorality are central to the novel. Wilde portrays the gradual decay of Dorian’s soul as his immoral actions are reflected in the deteriorating portrait.
The Duality of Human Nature: The story delves into the dual nature of humanity, where the external appearance may differ from the inner character. It questions the idea of a public persona versus one’s true self.
The Nature of Sin: Wilde explores the nature of sin and its allure. He suggests that indulging in immoral desires and pursuing a life of pleasure can lead to the deterioration of the soul and the loss of one’s innocence.
Art and its Impact: The novel examines the role of art in society and the power it holds. It raises questions about the relationship between art and life, the responsibility of artists, and the potential dangers of art when it becomes disconnected from morality.
The Influence of Society: Wilde explores the impact of societal norms and expectations on individuals. He criticizes the hypocritical and judgmental nature of society, which often drives individuals to hide their true selves and conform to societal expectations.
The Pursuit of Youth and Immortality: The novel delves into the desire for eternal youth and the consequences of such a pursuit. Dorian’s wish to remain eternally young leads him down a destructive path as he sacrifices his morality and manipulates others to preserve his appearance.
The Nature of Friendship: The story examines the nature of friendship and its ability to either support or corrupt individuals. The friendships portrayed in the novel, particularly those between Dorian, Basil, and Lord Henry, have significant impacts on their lives.
DISCUSSION WHEN STUDYING THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
Aestheticism and Art: Discuss Wilde’s views on aestheticism and the role of art in society. Explore the novel’s exploration of the pursuit of beauty for its own sake and its critique of art divorced from morality.
The Corruption of Morality: Analyze the theme of moral corruption in the novel. Explore how Dorian’s pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of consequences lead to the decay of his soul and the consequences of his actions.
The Duality of Human Nature: Discuss the concept of the duality of human nature as depicted in the novel. Explore how the external appearance may not reflect the true nature of an individual and the consequences of suppressing one’s true self.
The Power of Influence: Examine the influence of Lord Henry on Dorian’s actions and worldview. Discuss the impact of external influences on personal choices, and how Dorian’s susceptibility to Lord Henry’s ideas leads to his downfall.
Society’s Expectations and Hypocrisy: Analyze the portrayal of society in the novel and its impact on the characters. Discuss the themes of societal expectations, hypocrisy, and the pressure to conform to societal norms.
The Role of Beauty and Youth: Explore the significance of beauty and youth in the novel. Discuss the pursuit of eternal youth and its consequences, as well as the societal obsession with physical appearance.
The Nature of Sin: Discuss the nature of sin as depicted in the novel. Explore the temptations and desires that lead to immoral actions, and the effects of guilt and conscience on the characters.
Character Development: Analyze the character development of Dorian Gray throughout the novel. Discuss the factors that shape his transformation, the motivations behind his actions, and the internal struggles he faces.
Gender and Sexuality: Discuss the representation of gender and sexuality in the novel. Examine the portrayal of male beauty and desire, as well as the implications of Dorian’s relationships and his attraction to both men and women.
Literary Style and Themes: Explore Wilde’s use of wit, satire, and paradox in the novel. Discuss the themes of art, morality, and society’s obsession with appearances as conveyed through Wilde’s unique writing style.
SUMMARY OF THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
Preface: The preface, written by Oscar Wilde, sets the philosophical and aesthetic tone for the novel. Wilde discusses the role of art, the artist’s influence, and the purpose of beauty, asserting that “All art is quite useless.”
Section One: The novel opens with the introduction of Basil Hallward, an artist who becomes infatuated with the young and beautiful Dorian Gray. Basil paints a portrait of Dorian that captures his youthful beauty and innocence. Dorian, influenced by his new acquaintance, Lord Henry Wotton, desires that the portrait age instead of him, while he remains eternally young.
Section Two: As time passes, Dorian indulges in a life of hedonism and moral decay, driven by Lord Henry’s cynical worldview. Meanwhile, the portrait begins to exhibit signs of corruption and aging, reflecting the true effects of Dorian’s debauchery.
Section Three: Dorian’s immoral actions escalate as he navigates a series of relationships and encounters, causing harm to those around him. He becomes increasingly obsessed with his own beauty and the preservation of his youthful appearance.
Section Four: Dorian’s behavior and secrets weigh heavily on his conscience, leading him to isolate himself from society and hide the portrait, which has now become a grotesque reflection of his moral decay.
Section Five: A murder takes place, and rumors circulate regarding Dorian’s involvement. As Dorian grapples with his conscience and the deteriorating portrait, he confronts the reality of his own corruption.
Section Six: Dorian, tortured by guilt and fear, resolves to destroy the portrait, believing it to be the source of his misery. In a fit of rage, he stabs the portrait, ultimately causing his own demise.
Conclusion: In the concluding section, the portrait reverts to its original pristine state, while Dorian’s body is found aged and withered, bearing the marks of his sinful life. The society, unaware of his true nature, praises his outwardly virtuous appearance, contrasting with the true portrait that now remains hidden.
Throughout the novel, Wilde explores themes of beauty, corruption, the duality of human nature, the pursuit of pleasure, and the consequences of immorality. The story serves as a cautionary tale and a critique of the superficiality of society, while also questioning the boundaries of art and the impact of personal choices.